Turn Signal, cruise, brakes, and emergency flashers not working properly.
Hey! So I've been havin some electrical problems with my 2004 GMC yukon. 5.3 w/cruise control. So sometimes, (not every time I start it up) I try to use the left turn signal and the light will come on and not flash. When the turn signal is not on, the brake lights and cruise control do not work. When it is on the brake lights and cruise control work fine. If the turn signal IS on and I use the emergency flashers they won't blink either, they just stay on, until I turn off the turn signal and then it works fine. I've replaced the flasher relay under the dash and it's still doing
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
If you have already replaced the flasher module for the turn signals, your problem may be in the switch assembly whether it is a shorted circuit or the contacts in the switch not making a proper connection and causing problems with other circuits. The problem with the brake lights and cruise control may be the brake light switch on the brake pedal. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic who can come out and take a closer look at your lighting concerns and offer a more personal diagnosis.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Interrupted circuit – An electrical circuit powers your indicator and hazard light bulbs. A damaged or broken wire in the indicator circuit can interrupt the current between the indicator or hazard light bulb(s), limiting or completely stopping the bulb from working.
Chances are, if your brake and turn signals have all gone down, your fuse is as good as gone. You can find your car`s fuses in the fuse box, often underneath the hook or on the kick panel inside the passenger compartment. Your car manual should tell you which fuse is for your brake circuit.
Reasons Why Tail Lights not Working When Brake Lights are:
Faulty fuse—when troubleshooting this issue, the first piece of professional advice you`ll usually receive is to check the tail light fuse. Often, a bad fuse is to blame. Wiring—once again, wiring issues are key to pinpointing this problem.
If the emergency lights and turn signal lights illuminate but don`t flash, check first for a burned-out bulb. This is the most common cause. If not, you may be dealing with a bad flasher unit or a bad turn signal switch. See the sections `Testing the Turn Signal Flasher` and `Checking the Turn Signal Switch.
The hazard and turn signal lights found on the vast majority of road going vehicles are controlled by a flasher, which is commonly referred to as a relay. The flasher is an electrical component that serves as the switch that allows the lights to flash on and off.
Likewise, the brake light circuit is also connected to the turn signal circuit. This means that the brake light will not come on if the turn signal switch is damaged. Your mechanic will locate the wire connecting the turn signal switch and brake light switch.
If the turn signal switch goes bad, one or both brake lights can fail. This does not apply to vehicles with rear amber turn signals.
Sometimes a tripped circuit breaker is a fluke, but other times, problems like bad switches, faulty electrical outlets, and short circuits can be the cause.
The first sign of trouble is when the switch begins to behave in a fashion that is abnormal in any way. For example, if there`s an audible crackle, snap, or popping sound when you flip the lever, then it`s pretty clear that your switch is defective and it`s time to replace it.
On newer cars, the tail lamps can be fused separately and/or each bulb or shared circuit can be fused. A fuse can be blown due to other problems, so you`ll need to check more than just the fuse, but it`s the right place to start. Look in your owner`s manual to determine where the fuse box is located in your car.
The automatic lights you are referring to are likely the Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs). These are an automatic safety feature that is more for other drivers around you than for your driving comforts. This system does not turn on the tail lights, and they are dimmer than your normal headlights.
If the turn signal stays solid on the dash instead of blinking, that typically indicates a failed bulb. If the bulb is not the issue, check the connector at the turn signal for both power and ground. It looks like both turn signal bulbs share the same ground point, but the ground side wiring could be faulty.
Hazard warning lights are a pair of intermittent flashing indicator lights that flash in unison to warn other drivers that the vehicle is a temporary obstruction. They are also called hazard flashers and hazard lights.
Emergency flashers or hazard lights are activated when a driver pushes the hazard light button/switch. The lights warn other drivers of an emergency situation you may be in or that your car is parked on the side of the road.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Turn Signal, cruise, brakes, and emergency flashers not working properly.
ANSWER : If you have already replaced the flasher module for the turn signals, your problem may be in the switch assembly whether it is a shorted circuit or the contacts in the switch not making a proper connection and causing problems with other circuits. The problem with the brake lights and cruise control may be the brake light switch on the brake pedal. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic who can come out and take a closer look at your lighting concerns and offer a more personal diagnosis.
Okay so when I turn my lights on at night my brake lights do not work, when I don’t have my lights on they work fine.
ANSWER : Hi there. Based on your inquiry, it’s highly probable that you have a damaged light switch or some electrical fault inside the turn signal relay. However, it’s also possible that the brake switch above the brake pedal could also be the source of your problem. Due to the fact that multiple electrical components might be causing this issue, it’s a smart idea to first have a professional mobile mechanic complete a brake lights are not working inspection, so they can determine what’s causing all of these issues and recommend the right repairs.
My front flashers turn signals and brake lights dont work. I have replaced the bulbs and checked the fuses. What could cause these
ANSWER : The different lights all go through the turn signal light turn switch. If the brake light switch is not working at all then the third brake light would not work. You will need to replace turn signal switch and check brake light switch also and replace it if no third brake light is working.
Electrical Short/Power dimming when brakes pressed. Turn signal fuse blowing. 1980 Dodge B200
ANSWER : Hello – you have electrical problems for sure, possibly more than one. A short in the steering column wiring seems likely. This problem can be diagnosed by connecting an ammeter to the positive (red) battery cable, observe the current drain (likely less than 1 amp), then, one at a time, remove each fuse, check to see if the current drain has dropped to near 0, then reinsert the fuse. start with the brake/turn signal lighting circuit. This process should identify the faulty circuit in most cases. The specific components on that circuit can then be checked for current drain problems. A professional mechanic, like YourMechanic, can come to your location, and perform this procedure for you, and replace/repair the failing component.
Left turn signal and DRL aren’t working properly
ANSWER : A couple of faults could cause this issue. The most likely would be a wiring issue, the turn signal relay or an improper bulb. The most likely cause in this case would be a wiring issue, if the lights were shorted to power, they would stay on at all times and the fault would not trigger the ECU that a bulb is out. A qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, will be able to diagnose your light problems and proceed with the appropriate repairs.
My turn signals are not working, could you please tell me where the turn signal flasher fuse is located?
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. I would recommend checking the fuse first. If the fuse is good in the fuse box, I would then check the flasher relay which is located on the firewall behind the glove box. You may need to remove the inner glove box in order to get to this. If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect your turn signal lights for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.
Chrysler car, replaced turn signal switch and flasher relay and turn signals still do not come on either right or left, no turn si
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. If the electrical components are all working individually, then the issue is likely relating to the wiring between them. The best way to trace the issue is with a voltmeter. In doing so you start with the power supply starting at the fuse box and work your way down the circuit. When you find where the voltage cuts off, you will have found the wire or component that has failed. You will want a wiring circuit to help you through this process. Often when after market components have been installed around the wiring it can become damaged. Double check any of these areas. The switch and steering column will both need to be tested as well. For more help with this type of electrical testing, contact our service department.
EPC light on 2004 Jetta. Code said brake switch faulty, but brakes lights worked. Replaced brake switch, now no brake lights.
ANSWER : Hi there. The first thing that pops in my mind beyond of what you have listed is perhaps the electrical harness attached to the brake switch. Perhaps the harness itself is damaged or you have an exposed wire, loose ground wire somewhere. You might want to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a brake lights not working inspection to help you diagnose this issue.
